Pressing machine



May 2, 1967 A. SCHMID PRESSING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 17,1965 INVENTOR BY ALMS SCHMW HN P HANDLER May 2, 1967 SCHMlD 3,317,094

PRESSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 17, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3

{ML 1 seeve Y I I l 1 I L l l IN vE/v TOR BY ALOU SCHWD JOHN P- CHANDLERUnited States Patent ,544 7 Claims. (31. 22s-s7 The invention relates toan ironing press for the ironing of the shoulder and sleeve portions ofarticles of outer clothing, such as lounge jackets, overcoats andcostumes, wherein a lower plate shaped in accordance with the shoulderportion and at least one upper plate adapted to be pressed against thesaid lower plate, are able to cooperate.

The ironing to shape of shoulder portions, sleeve transition portions orarm-hole or sleeve-insertion sea-ms requires different manipulations andalso the utilisation of various ironing devices. For the ironing of theshoulders, due to varying shoulder width on the articles of clothing, asmall bearing face is desirable. Nevertheless, in the great majority ofcases, no shaped-fitting abutment is achieved. Furthermore, the articleof clothing is not worked on in the suspended position, so that it mayprove to be necessary to carry out additional ironing work on portionsof the garment which have already been ironed, such as the back and thefront portion. The ironing of the sleeve insertion seam, referred to inthe art as setting the seam, is effected by ironing the seam together bymeans of which the sleeve is secured on the garment. In order to be ableto compensate for creases at the seam and also uneven points on theportion adjacent the seam, such as the front portion, the back portionand the sleeves, it is advantageous to use a machine having a relativelylong bearing face. The working step necessary with the machines of theprior art, is still relatively inconvenient. The portions adjacent thesleeve insertion seam cannot be ironed in the shape which they wereoriginally intended to have. The garment must be so turned that thelining faces upwards, so that it is necessary for the operator to carryout this ironing step purely by feel, since the position of the sleeveis not visible. Thus, it will be necessary to check almost every strokeof the iron for possible ironing creases. This requires the turning backof the garment in every case and involves a corresponding expenditure oftime.

Furthermore, it is frequently necessary that, during the ironing of thesleeves, the latter, and also the portions such as the back portion, thefront portion and the side portion adjacent the sleeve insert seam,should be subsequently treated a second time from the exterior. This isdone, as a rule, only in order that the portions which, during theprevious working step of setting the sleeve have lost their shape mayagain be put in order. During the two working steps describedhereinabove, the garment frequently bears on the table and cannot beworked on in the hanging position and this may require renewed pressingof portions which have already been ironed. Even if the ironing of theshoulder and sleeve transition points is effected with a specialshoulder-ironing machine, disadvantages are still encountered, forexample inasmuch as shoulders having so-called puffed sleeve transitionpoints cannot be ironed with the proper shaping. Consequently it becomesnecessary to use yet another machine and making the handling of thegarment less convenient.

It is the object of the invention to provide a shoulder and sleeveironing press, wherein the ironing to shape of the shoulders, the sleevetransition points, the arm-hole or sleeve-insert seam, and also theironing of the arm of outer garments, can be carried into effect on onemachine.

An important feature of the invention resides in the fact that with anironing press of the type mentioned earlier the lower plate is providedwith a displaceable secondary shoulder shaping plate adapted to bepressed against the lower plate. With this arrangement, the secondaryshoulder shaping plate may be so designed that it is inflatable on theouter end face.

The shape of the shoulder ironing press is such that it always permits aform of laying on which shall be true to shape and as a result thearticle of clothing can then always be subjected to the process Whilesuspended or hanging. A simplified mode of operation is achieved, sinceit is always possible to effect a check from the exterior during theworking step of the sleeve ironing. Furthermore, a substantial saving oftime is achieved, due to the elimination of unnecessary manipulationtime, since it is required that the garment be hung only once for eachshoulder side for the ironing of the shoulders and sleeves and thesetting of the sleeve seams. Furthermore, it becomes possible in thisway to achieve a true-to-shape, suspended form of treatment, also inrespect of the adjacent parts, such as the back, side and front parts,and the like, during the setting of the sleeve seams. The sleeve insertseam passes, during this procedure, between the lower shaping plate andthe secondary shoulder-shaping plate and is ironed together to thenecessary height due to the application pressure of the plates and thenalso by steaming and peripheral suction. In addition to the savingoftime, there is also an additional saving inasmuch as it is no longernecessary to use further machines of a different type. This has thefurther advantage that less working space is required.

In addition to the arrangement permitting the pressing on of theshoulder shaping plate an additional feature of the invention is thatthe upper shape-ironing plate is provided with adjustable shapingcomponents. In this way shoulders with puff-sleeves can besatisfactorily dealt with on the same ironing press.

The secondary shoulder shaping plate which is adapted to be pressed onmay be secured on a slide which extends through the lowershoulder-shaping plate and on which a linkage provided on the rear ofthe shoulder-shaping plate is adapted to act. The secondaryshoulder-shaping plate is preferably provided with its own steam inletand outlet pipes and with a compressed air infeed and also with asteaming device. The secondary shoulder-shaping .plate which isconveniently adapted to be pressed on is adapted to be locked in bothits retracted and extended positions. Furthermore, the lower shoulderplate may be equipped with an adjustable sleeve depositing arrange ment.

By way of example a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown inthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of a shoulder ironing press having twoupper plates, the illustration being generally diagrammatic;

FIGURE 2 shows a lateral view on the frame, carrying the lower plate, ofthe ironing press according to FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged broken view showing the lower shoulder platewith the shoulder-shaping member adapted to be pressed on and thesteaming device;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-section taken on line IVIV of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 5 shows a cross section taken along the line V--V of FIGURE 2.

The embodiment of the invention chosen for illustration herein is ashoulder-ironing press having a lower plate having the contour of theshoulder portion and two upper plates adapted to be pressed against saidlower plate, the actuating framework for the second upper plate, whichcorresponds to that of the first, not being shown.

Relatively to a base 3, having a lower plate 4, there are on both sidesof this frame parts 1, only the left-hand one being shown, said partshaving a common table top 2 which is fast with the frame parts 1 andbears on the base 3. Articulated to the frame parts 1, by means of thelevers 7 and 8, are the upper plates 5 and 6. Levers 7and 8 are shownonly in fragmentary fashion for the reason that they are more completelydisclosed in US. Patent No. 3,080,099 and these arms actually form nopart of the instant invention. Each upper part is actuated by means of alinkage 9, 1t) and 11 subjected to the influence of a spring 22 adaptedto be adjusted by means of the adjusting handle 29. Disposed at the freeend of the rod 11 is a pedal 15, the linkage elements If) and 11 beingaccommodated within the casing 21. The upper plates 5 and 6 are providedwith a steam inlet and steam outlet (not shown). The upper steaming iseffected by means of the valve lever 33.

The lower plate 4 has connected with it ashouldershaping plate 40.Furthermore, there is a secondary shoulder-shaping plate which is builtup from the parts 4a and 4b. The part 4a is fast with the lower plate 4whereas the secondary shoulder shaping plate 411 proper is adjustablyarranged. To this end, the plate 4]) can be carried by a slide 34 whichextends through the shoulder shaping plate 4c and is displaceable in thelongitudinal direction on the sliding bearings 35. The slide 34 ishollow and the steam feed pipe 36 and condensation return pipe 37 extendthrough the slide. Furthermore, there is also a compressed air feed pipe38 and a steaming device 13. The secondary shoulder shaping plate 4b ishollow and has a perforated inner wall 41; and its outer wall is closedby a perforated plate 39 which may carry elastic or resilient pad 40 ora covering which can be secured thereon. The garment may be clampedbetween this inner wall 4b and part 4a as shown in broken line in FIG.3. Since both 4a and 4b have openings, air or vapor under pressure maybe supplied to this clamped port. For the actuation of the displaceablesecondary shoulder-shaping plate 4b, there is a linkage consisting of anair cylinder 12 and a fork member 18, designed as an angle lever, whichis pivotally mounted on the cantilever arm 14 and 14a. The fork memberengages in articulated manner, at 18a,, on the slide 34. The aircylinder 12 is articulated to the cylinder holder 12a, at 12b. Lockingof the fork member 18 and therewith adjustment of the secondaryshoulder-shaping plate 4b, can be effected by the set screw 18b.

The lower plate 4, with the shoulder-shaping member 40, is provided witha feed pipe 24 and 26 for heating steam and an outward pipe 23 and 27for removing condensation water. The control of the steaming device 13,of the secondary shoulder element 4b, is effected by the linkage 17a, 27and 27a, via the valve 27b, 27c, and the pedal 17. For the control ofthe compressed air to the air cylinder, use is made of the valve 160.Furthermore, there are two pipes 41 which lead to a source of negativepressure, the valves 30 being interposed The pedals 15, 16 and 17 arearranged in suspended position on the cross-member 1a connecting theframe parts 1. Fast on the base 3 is an adjustable depositingarrangement, secured by means of the retaining means 32a.

The upper shaping plates 5 and 6, provided with the heating plates 5aand 6a are equipped with a shaped member 19 which is mounted fordisplacement relatively to the plates 5 or 6 and can be secured in itsposition by means of a star-shaped knob 20. The shaped members 19cooperate with the displaceable secondary shouldershaping plates 412.They are intended mainly for the ironing true-to-shape of the sleeves,preferably of puffsleeves.

Reference is made to the particular formation of shoulder shaping part4b which acts in association with shaped member 19 which is provided oneach upper plate 5 and 6 and which is adjustable. The lower side of thismember 19 conforms to the upper side of shoulder shaping part 4b and theshoulder shaping portion of the garment .is put therebetween.

FIG. 4 shows the upper plate 6 in cross section on line IV-1V of FIG. 1.In FIG. 3, there is illustrated the operation of shaped member 19 inconnection with shoulder portions 40 and 412. Member 19 is adjustable onthe upper plate 6 or 5 so that it may be adapted to the thickness of thegarment to be laid on the part 4C of the lower plate.

In the inoperative position, the upper plates 5 and 6 are wide open andthe secondary shoulder-shaping plate 4b is extended to for example 4050mm. The processing of the shoulder portions of an outer garment may beeffected in such manner that the sleeve is drawn on. As this is done,the other sleeves bear on the adjustable supporting plate 32 so as toguarantee entirely satisfactory abutment of the outer garment. Byactuating the central left-hand pedal 16 to the first detent point,preferably in two stages, the secondary shoulder-shaping plate 411 isbrought up by way of the machine parts 16]) and 16c, 12 and 18 and islocked by the pawl 31. Such an effect can be exerted by means of thevacuum valve 30 (second detent point). The corresponding number ofironing strokes is effected during the individual operating stages.Between the two first-mentioned stages, by pressure of the foot on thecentral right-hand pedal 17, steaming can be provided out of thesecondary shoulder-shaping plate 411 (first detent point) and the infeedof compressed air by actuating the hand of 26, for inflating the sleeve.

The ironing strokes are effected by lowering the upper plate 5 or 6,selectively and by hand, into abutment against the desired shoulder sidThe actuation of the two pedals 15 to the left and to the right on theexterior permits the desired application pressure of the upper plates,the upper steaming being effected by actuation of the control handle 33.Similarly, suctional removal can be controlled in a correspondingmanner.

A multiplicity of pressing plates operated simultaneously, or insequential operation, with the shoulder-ironing press lower plate, whichis shaped in the manner of a half-bust, so that the shoulder portion andalso the transition point of the sleeve in the breast and shoulder partsand furthermore the upper sleeve part can be ironed in finishedcondition in one working step. The shaping plates 4a and 4b areadvantageously slightly curved on the opposite faces, perforated andcovered with a covering of felt or other similar material.

The lower plate designed in accordance with the invention may also beused separately, i.e. without upper plate or upper plates, for examplefor the ironing of the sleeve insert seam or other shoulder portions ofthe garment.

I claim:

1. An ironing press for operation on the shoulder portions of garmentsand including a frame, lower and upper pressing plates carried by theframe, the latter being movable and adapted to be pressed against saidlower plate, said latter plate adapted to underlie the shoulder sectionof a garment and whose upper section and opposed front and rear sectionsare shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the shoulder sectionof the human body, said lower pressing plate having a downwardlyextending hollow shoulder shaping part provided with inner and outerwalls and having openings in its outer Wall through which air and vapormay pass, means for sliding the shoulder shaping part inwardly andoutwardly of said lower pressing plate, conduits for said air and vaporextending through said sliding means, and means outside said lowerpressing plate for moving the shoulder shaping part to an adjustedposition.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the inner wall of the shouldershaping part has openings therein.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said outer wall of the shouldershaping part is provided with a resilient covering.

the top of said vertical member for supporting the shoulder section ofthe garment opposite from that being worked 5. The structure of claim 1,wherein the means for sliding the shoulder shaping part inwardly andoutwardly consist in a through bore extending laterally through thelower pressing plate and a hollow element journalled for slidingmovement in said how, a linkage on one side of the lower platecontrolling movement of the slide and the shoulder shaping part beingprovided with separate steam feed and condensation return pipes as wellas with a pressure air feed pipe.

6. An ironing press according to claim 1, characterized in that meansare provided for locking the shoulder shaping part in both its extendedand retracted position.

7. An ironing press according to claim 1, characterized in that part oflower plate has a free front face of substantially oval contour.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,013,835 9/1935Poparella 223-57 2,958,967 11/1960 Long 38-25 2,986,311 5/ 1961 Sticfel223-57 3,050,220 '8/1962 Paris 223-57 3,052,388 9/1962 Mutolese 223573,080,099 5/ 1963 Albiez 223-57 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN IRONING PRESS FOR OPERATION ON THE SHOULDER PORTIONS OF GARMENTSAND INCLUDING A FRAME, LOWER AND UPPER PRESSING PLATES CARRIED BY THEFRAME, THE LATTER BEING MOVABLE AND ADAPTED TO BE PRESSED AGAINST SAIDLOWER PLATE, SAID LATTER PLATE ADAPTED TOUNDERLIE THE SHOULDER SECTIONOF A GARMENT AND WHOSE UPPER SECTION AND OPPOSED FRONT AND REAR SECTIONSARE SHAPED TO SUBSTANTIALLY CONFORM TO THE SHAPE OF THE SHOULDER SECTIONOF THE HUMAN BODY, SAID LOWER PRESSING PLATE HAVING A DOWNWARDLYEXTENDING HOLLOW SHOULDER SHAPING PART PROVIDED WITH INNER AND OUTERWALLS AND HAVING OPENINGS IN ITS OUTER WALL THROUGH WHICH AIR AND VAPORMAY PASS, MEANS FOR SLIDING THE SHOULDER SHAPING PART INWARDLY ANDOUTWARDLY OF SAID LOWER PRESSING PLATE, CONDUITS FOR SAID AIR AND VAPOREXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLIDING MEANS, AND MEANS OUTSIDE SAID LOWERPRESSING PLATE FOR MOVING THE SHOULDER SHAPING PART TO AN ADJUSTEDPOSITION.